WHAT IS MEMORY..HOW DOES IT WORK?

1.Explain the concept of sensory memory.
It contains the information that is immediately received from someone’s sense into the human brain. Sensory memory is then stored only for a few seconds. Sensory memory is basically the sensations that continue after you have perceived something. Its is one of the first levels of memorization and observation. So sensory memory is basically when you hear , touch , smell or see something and that is no longer in your presence you will have that memory.

2.Give an example of sensory memory.
An example is when you discover ice cubes for the first time. You sensory memory will remember it as very cold and hard. Therefore every time you think of anything made of ice you will associate it with your first impression of the ice cube.

3. What is the capacity of our sensory memory?
The capacity of our memories or the amount of memories that we are able to store it can store about 15-20 icons. These memories don’t last more than a few seconds.

4. Describe the concept of short-term memory.
Short term memory can be described as the amount of information that is being processed in your memory at once. The items in short term memory have to be almost rehearsed in order to keep in your short term memory, they will usually last about 20 seconds , or less. For example when you meet someone and a few seconds later you can’t remember their name.

5. What is the "magic number" as it relates to short-term memory and who conducted the experiment which established this measurement?
In your short term the average person can maintain about 7 items people with better ability can go up to nine and people with lesser ability can go down to 5. Therefore the magic number is seven plus, or minus two.This was first studies by a Harvard University psychologist named George A Miller, published in Psychology Review a paper in 1956.

6. What is chunking?
Chunking is the process where you take little pieces of information and group them into a much larger group. Such as a phone number or even remembering words or names. Chunks is useful when memorizing large pieces of information.

7. What has been determined to be the ideal size of "chunks" for both letters and numbers?
The ideal size for chunks and number is three. That is why people learn and remember phone numbers in three digit chunks, and the other remaining numbers in groups of two.

8. Which mode of encoding does short-term memory mostly rely on, acoustic or visual?
I believe that the mode of enconding that short term memory mostly rely on is visual because you can encode much more elaborately an experience or some type of information can help making it richer, more vivid memory by creating more ways of reclaim those memories later.

9. Explain the duration and capacity of long-term memory.
The capacity of long term memory is of up to seven pieces of independent information, while the duration these items last from 3 to 20 seconds.

10. Explain in detail the Atkinson-Shiffrin Model of memory.

In 1965 two psychologists Atkinson and Shiffrin suggested that the human human memory was ordered as an information processing system that had three stages. First they suggested that information from peoples surroundings first enters a sensory storage system or also called by Atkinson and Shiffrin “Sensory Registers” during this period the information is saved for a small period in order for the brain to be able to process it. Then the information enters a second memory system known as short-term store. Here the activity of the brain is represented meaning whatever you are thinking about at that moment. Then the last sequence is the long term memory also known as secondary memory.

11. Identify three criticisms or limitations of the Atkinson-Shiffrin Model of memory.

The first criticism is that the sensory stores are sensory systems, not memory systems as most people belive or are lead to think, also the model suggests that there is nothing in between short-term and long-term memory and last does not give enough importance to unconscious processes.

12.Explain the Levels of Processing Model of memory.
Maintenance rehearsal which is repeating the information, Elaborative rehearsal which involves deeper, more semantic analysis of information and Distinctiveness which is being able to distinguish the items.

13. What is maintenance rehearsal - give an example.
Maintenance rehearsal involves repetition of an item's auditory representation. Unlike elaborative rehearsal, this type of rehearsal does not lead to stronger or more durable memories. For example when someone gives you a number and you repeat that number so you don't forget it in the time that is takes you to hang up and dial the new number.

14. What is elaborative rehearsal - give an example.
Elaborative rehearsal involves deep processing of a to-be-remembered items resulting in the production of durable memories An example is grouping the digits together to form a phone number transforms the stimulation from a meaningless string of digits to something that has meaning.

15. Who developed the Levels of Processing Model and the concepts of maintenance and elaborative rehearsal?

These were developed by Fergus Craik and Robert Lockhart in 1972.

How Does Your Memory Work?

I believe that this video is very fascinating, interesting and very informative. It taught us a lot about the way our memory works and also made us think about the importance of our memory in a way we had not done before. I had never before thought about the importance of memories or how your memories are able to shape who you are or who you will be. I do believe that your memories are a very important factor of who you are because no one in the world will ever be the same because no one will have the exact same memories. I was also fascinated at the about John who did not have memories it makes me realize that your memories is something that we take for granted when in reality we use it every single day for absolutely everything. John’s story is very interesting because he will no be able to function as a normal person in society because of his lack to have memories. The video also had many interesting facts for example that you need your memories from your past in order to imagine your future. This is very funny because when you want to think about the future its usually leaving the past behind but in reality you need your past to imagine a future. I really enjoyed watching the video it was very entertaining and I truly believe I learned a lot.